Film Roman is the studio responsible for the production of such notable animated fare as The Simpsons (Season 4 to date), King of the Hill, The Oblongs, The Critic, Garfield and Friends, Bobby’s World, Grimmy, Mighty Max, Felix, Cro, and Tom and Jerry: The Movie.

I began working there as a storyboard revisionist on Garfield for line producer John Cawley and producer/director Vincent Davis. Later, I would be hired to work on The Simpsons for two seasons, followed by another stint on The Simpsons years later.

During my time on Garfield, I met Bobby’s World producer/director Gary Conrad, who invited me to participate in one of his annual Christmas videos. This month, Gary made these videos available online, and it’s great to view them after all these years.

The first is “Phil Roman’s Christmas in Wonderland.” This was made after the studio moving from its bungalow in Toluca Lake to a larger building on Chandler Blvd. in North Hollywood. Says Gary, “The staff had grown to more than 200, so this video includes the final appearance of what had been an annual Christmas video tradition, the ‘waving montage.'”

Here’s the annual Christmas video from 1992, “Phil Roman’s Holiday Hello,” featuring “a timeless performance by the Film Roman Family Singers.” The singers are Bob Boyle (creator, Wow Wow Wubbzy), Cliff Vorhees, Bill Riling, Jim Schumann, and myself.

From 1993: “Phil’s Roman Holiday” features a rare performance by the one and only “Film Roman Yuletide Combo”: Simpsons directors Mark Kirkland and David Silverman.

Film Roman Christmas Video 1994

“Phil’s 10th Anniversary Extravaganza” turned out to be the last Film Roman Christmas Video, in 1994, celebrating–what else?–the studio’s tenth anniversary.